Yaris

To do

Mostly my goal is higher MPG, just to see what is possible, not because it saves money.

• OBD II interface
• Solar panel install, replaces stock hood
• Intermittent wiper switch
• Underdrive alternator
• Put some pictures here
• USB charger cable for Motorola phones
• Paint (MC Escher pictures)
• Smoother wheel covers
• Skirts for rear wheels
• Delete passenger side mirror
• NF210 springs
• Brighter LED reverse lights
• K&N air filter?
• Sound dampening? Adds weight but makes for more comfortable long trips

Done

• UBlox AEK-4P GPS receiver with rooftop antenna
• Cabin air filter
• Cruise control using toggle switch + two buttons (current version)
• Cruise control using two buttons (on/off and set) (first version)
• Removed rear seat and built a cargo deck.
• Micro Image belly pan installed, keeping the engine nice and clean and possibly adding 1 mpg?
• Pin stripes :-)
• USB power outlets
• Rear power outlet
• Powerpole outlets
• LED interior lights
• LED park lights
• LED license plate light
• LED reverse lights
• Garmin 1390T + Ecoroute HD navigation system

GPS

Currently using a Garmin 1390T with the EcoRoute HD module. Mixed results. The 'T' stands for traffic and it turns out when you are in range, "offers" read "ads" pop up from time to time. I think Garmin needs to be more transparent about this. The only way to disable it is to disable the traffic feature.

The EcoRoute HD is an OBD to Bluetooth module, it plugs into the OBD II port so you can monitor things like coolant temperature and battery voltage and RPM.

I also have an 855 and I think it's better, but does not have the support for the EcoRoute HD.

On our recent vacation trip we had beau coup problems with the 1390T. Once it locked into traffic reports in SF, it downloaded 3 "offers" and thereafter it would show an offer every 20 minutes or so and then reboot itself. Since we rely on the speedo display, this was pretty ANNOYING.

Garmin's advice is to completely reload the firmware from scratch and then disable the traffic feature, whee! Sure am glad I paid extra for traffic.

At this point I might sell the 1390T on EBay and go back to using the 855...

I am also plotting out a Linux dashboard! So tired of closed boxes! FoxtrotGPS here we come. I just installed a UBlox GPS. The antenna is near the hatch, runs through the hatch opening under the weatherstripping, under the rear deck. Receiver is under the deck that used to be the back seat. It has a bit of velcro hooks so it sticks to the carpet. A USB cable then comes up between the front seats and is available for whatever computer I end up installing.

Onboard Computer

Aug 2010 - I ordered a tablet computer from Always Innovating. http://alwaysinnovating.com/ I am now on their waiting list...

Oct 2010 - I decided this was not the best way to go. Pricewise it looks like a good deal, but the screens (there are 2 now) are either too big (9.4") or too small (3.5")

I am going to use an old Via EPIA CN10000 that used to be in my home server as a development platform.

I am probably going to get a 7" monitor, either a Lilliput VGA or one using DisplayLink (USB) technology. I like the DisplayLink idea, since it means only a skinny little USB cable has to go from the monitor to the computer.

Eventually I'd like to replace the indash